Magnetic ski binding



Jan. 12, 1965 Filed Dec. 14 1962 F. MALONE MAGNETIC SKI BINDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Franklin Malone IN VE N TO K Mm BY m, Em

Jan. 12, 1965 MALONE 3,165,328

- MAGNETIC SKI BINDING I Filed Dec. 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

Fig 6 a2 76 Franklin Malone I N VEN TOR United States Patent 3,165,328 MAGNETIC SKI BINDING Franklin Malone, 882 Quentin St., Aurora, Colo. Filed Dec. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 244,610 Claims. (Cl. 280--11.35)

This invention relates to a novel and useful magnetic ski binding and more specifically to a ski binding constructed ina manner whereby a ski boot worn by a skier may be indirectly magnetically secured in the proper position relative to a ski worn by the skier.

For quite some time there has been a great amount of emphasis on the use of ski bindings which will allow a ski boot to become separated from a ski whenever abnormal forces are acted upon a ski boot by the ski secured thereto. It is very important that a skiers skis be fixedly secured to his ski boots in order that each and every movement imparted to the ski boots by the feet of the skier therein will also be imparted to the skis secured to the ski boots Without any slack or lost motion between the ski boot and the ski. However, heretofore only the most expensive ski bindings were capable of even closely approaching the ultimate in providing a means whereby the ski is fixedly secured to the ski boot and yet may be readily detached from the ski boot as soon as abnormal forces are acted upon a ski boot by the skis.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a ski binding which will fixedly secure a ski to a ski boot and yet enable the ski and the boot to readily separate in all instances where a force is applied to the ski boot over and above the requirements of normal skiing.

A further object of this invention is to provide, a magnetic ski binding which will, without the use of springs or a friction catch, enable the skisto be fixedly secured to a pair of ski boots and yet be readily separable from the boots. I

' Another object of this invention is to provide a ski binding which will be extremely reliable and consistent in operation.

' Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski binding in accordance with the preceding objects which may be readily adjusted to compensate for different size boots.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski binding which may be quickly secured to a ski boot.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a ski binding in accordance with the preceding objects which will enable the toe of a boot secured to a ski to be readily detached from the ski upon an abnormal amount of pressure atempting to force the toe of the ski boot away from the upper surface of the ski and movement of the toe of the ski boot laterally of the ski.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ski binding in accordance with the preceding objects which will enable the heel portion of a ski boot to be readily separated from the ski upon the application of abnormal forces urging the heel of the boot to be lifted relative to the upper surface of the ski to which it is secured.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enu-, merated herein is to provide a magnetic ski binding in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction'and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which scribed and claimed, reference being had to the accom- 3,165,328 Patented Jan. 12, 1965 ice panying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ski shown with a ski boot secured thereto by means of the ski binding of the instant invention; 7 FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ski showing the rear portion of the ski binding, portions of the ski being broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the forward portion of the ski binding shown secured to the ski and with the toe plate for the ski boot operatively associated therewith;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1; i

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the heel plate for the ski boot providing the connection between the rear portion of the ski binding and the ski boot; and

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9-9 of FIGURE 5. v 7

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a conventional type of ski which is shown in FIGURE 1 having the ski binding of the instant invention secured thereto. The ski binding is generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 and includes a forward portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 14 and a rear portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 16. From FIGURE 1 of the drawing it may be seen that the ski boot 18 of a skier 20 is secured to the upper surface of theski 12.

With attentionnow directed more specifically to FIG- URES 1, 3, 4 and '7 of the drawings it maybe seen that the forward portion 14 includes a mounting plate 22 which is secured to the upper surface 24 of the ski It in any convenient manner such as by screw fasteners 26.

An externally threaded shank 28 is secured through the mounting plate 22 and projects upwardly therefrom. A pair of levers 30 and 32 are provided with threaded bores 34 and 38 in which the threaded shank 28 is threadedly engaged. It may be seen that the threaded shank 28 includes a shoulder portion 40 which is received in a counterbore 42 formed in the lower end of the bore 38.

It will be noted that the height of the levers '30 and 32 may be adjusted merely by rotating both of the levers about the shank 28. Further, inasmuch as'the lever 32 is disposed lowermost, the threads in the bores 34 and 38 and on the shank portion 28 are left-handed threads thereby moving the lever 32 slightly away from the mounting plate 22 as the longer arm of the lever 32 is swung in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings to the release position.

The mounting plate 22 has a threaded bore 44 formed therein and an abutment shank 46 which is externally threaded on its lower end is threadedly engaged inthe bore 44 and projects upwardly between the longer ends of the levers 3t and 32. A pair of permanent magnets 48 and 59 are secured to the levers 30 and 32, respectively, by means of clamp assemblies 52 and 54. The clamp assemblies 52 and 54 may be adjustably positioned longitudinally of the levers 30 and 32.

The short ends of the levers 30 and 32 include recesses 56 and 58 which open downwardly and toward each other. The recesses 56 and 58 arev communicated with each other when the levers 3t} and 32 are positioned as viewed in FIGURE 3 of the drawings and it may be seen thatthe recesses 56 and 58 include upwardlyconvergent side surfaces 60 and 62. It will further be noted from FIGURE 4 of the drawings that the recesses 56 and 58 are communicated with the free ends of the shortarms of the levers 3t] and 32 in which they are formed;

A toe plate generally referred to by the reference numeral 64 is provided and maybe recessed in and secured to the under portion of the forward end of the sole 66 of the ski' boot 18. .The toe plate 64 includes abori- Zontally disposed shank 68 which projects outwardly therefrom and terminates at its free end in a spherical projection 70 receivable in the downwardlyopening pocket 72 defined by the recesses 56 and 53..

When the spherical projection 70 is secured in the pocket 72 and the levers and 32 are positionedas viewed in FIGURE 3 'of thedrawings, the long ends of the levers 30 and 32 may be urged away from the abutment shank 46 upon an upward force being directed against the toe of the boot 18. Additionally, either one of the levers 30 and 32 may have its long end urged away from the other lever upon lateral movement of the toe of the boot 18 toward the short end of that lever.

Thus, it may be seen that the permanent magnets 48 and releasably retain the toe portion of the boot18 in a fixed position relative to the ski 10 but in a manner enreference numeral 76 which is recessed in the upper surface 24 of the ski 10 and secured in the recess by means of threaded fasteners 78. The mounting plate 76 has a longitudinally extending upwardly opening groove 80 formed therein in which the base 82 of a mount generally referred to by the reference numeral 84 is disposed.

this manner the permanent magnets 120 and 122 will prevent upward movement of the long end ofthe lever 116 which would in turn enable the end of the lever 102 provided with a projection 106 to move away from the upper surface of the ski 10to release the heel portion of the boot 18. 7

Accordingly, it may be seensthat the boot 18 may have its toe portion and heel. portion fixedly secured to the ski 10 in a manner. whereby either "the toe or heelportion of the boot lttmaysbe readily disengaged from the'binding 12. As soon as either the heel ortoe portion of the boot 18 is disengaged from the binding 12 the other end of the boot 18 will, of course, also be free to be released fromengagement with the'binding 12. I

The foregoing is consideredias illustrativeonly of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those to the exact construction and operation shown-and'de- The base 82 is somewhat shorter than the recess 86 it in which the mounting plate 76 is secured and is provided with a longitudinal slot 88 through which a fastener 90 secured through an opening 92 formed in the mounting plate 76 is secured by means of a wing nut 94. In this manner, the base 82 may be adjustably positioned longitudinally of the ski 10.

The base 82- includes a bifurcated portion 96 including by1means of the pivot pin 1G4 and includes a spherical projection 106 on one end and is provided with a threaded bore 108 on the other end in which an adjustingscrew 110 isthreadedly engaged. One end of the adjusting screw 110 is provided with a spherical projection 112 seated in a recess 114 formed in one end of a-second lever 116 which is pivotally secured between the furcations 98 and 100 by means of a pivot pin 118. The other end of the lever 116 has a permanent magnet 120 se cured thereto and a permanent magnet 122 is secured to the base 82 by means of a fastener 124.

It may be seen. from FIGURES 5 and 8 of the drawing that a'heel plate is provided and generally referred to by. the reference numeral 126 and that the heel plate 126 may be secured in a suitable recess 128 formed in the heel 130 of the boot 18 by means of fasteners 132. The heel plate 126 includes an upright portion 134 havinga semi-spherical recess 136 formed in its upper end. The

semi-spherical recess 136 seatingly receives the spherical projection 106. Accordingly, it may be seen that-the heel scribed, and accordingly all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. a

What is claimed as newis as follows:

l. A- magnetic ski binding for attachinga ski boot to a ski, said ski binding including lever means-comprising a pair of crossed levers, mounting means adapted to pivotally secure said levers to a ski for rotation about. an upstanding axis disposed generallynormal to the upper surface of said ski and disposedintermediate the opposite ends of said levers with corresponding ends of said levers generally paralleling the longitudinal'axis of said ski,

one pair of corresponding ends of said'fpair of levers defining a pair of recesses opening downwardly and toward each other and communicated with said onelpair of ends and adapted to receive an enlarged projection on the end of ashank supportedfrom the toe portion 'of'a ski boot, said mounting means including abutment means engageable with the other ends of .said levers for preventing movement ofeach of said other endsin a direction toward the other of said ends beyond a predetermined point, and magnetic means carriedvby said other endsmagnetically attracting said. other ends toward each other.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said magnetic means includes means for adjustably positioning said magnetic means longitudinally of said other ends of said levers.

3. The combination of 'claim 1 wherein said'mounting means comprises a mounting plate adapted for securement to the upper surface of a ski and to'which the lower end of-a threaded shank is secured, said levers having threaded bores formed therein vin which said threaded shank is threadedly engaged thereby pivotally securing said levers to said mounting plate; 7

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said abutment means is removably secured tosaid plate and projects upwardly therefrom between said other pair of corresponding ends of said levers, V

5. A magnetic ski binding for:attaching a ski boot to a ski, said ski binding including first levermeans including a lever, mounting means to which said lever-is pivotally secured and adapted to pivotallysecure said lever to a ski for rotation about an axis extending transversely thereof, one end of said leverdefining. an abutmentmember adapted for seated engagement with an abutment portion supported from the heel portion of a ski boot on said ski, and magnetic means operatively supported from the other end of said lever; means magnetically attracted toward a portion of said mounting means, and adapted to preventmovement of said heel. away from said ski, second lever means comprising a pair of crossed levers, mounting means adapted to pivotally secure said levers to a ski for rotation about an upstanding axis disposed generally normal to the upper surfaceof said ski and disposed intermediate the oppositeends of said levers with corresponding ends of said levers generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said ski, one pair of corresponding ends of said pair of levers defining a pair of recesses opening downwardly and toward each other and communicated with said one pair of ends and adapted to receive an enlarged projection on the end of a shank supported from the toe portion of a ski boot, said mounting means including abutment means engageable with the other ends of said levers for preventing movement of each of said other ends in a direction toward the other of said ends beyond a predetermined point and magnetic means carried by said other ends magnetically attracting said other ends toward each other.

6. A magnetic ski binding for attaching a ski boot to a ski, said ski binding including an elongated mounting member adapted to be secured to the upper surface of the ski, a pair of elongated levers, means pivotally mounting said levers to said member for rotation about axes extending transversely of said member and said levers and with said levers longitudinally aligned and disposed above said member, one end of one of said levers remote from the other lever defining a downwardly facing abutment member adapted for seated engagement with an upwardly facing abutment portion supported from the heel portion of the ski boot on said ski, and magnetic means operatively connected with the remote end of said other lever magnetically attracting said remote end in one direction toward a portion of said mounting member magnetically resisting movement of said remote end of said other lever away from said ski, the adjacent ends of said levers including abutment portions in overlapped relation and disposed in abutting engagement with each other with the adjacent end of said one lever overlapping the adjacent end of said other lever whereby an upward thrust on said one end of said one lever will be transmitted through said levers to said remote end of said other lever as an upward thrust thereon resisted by said means magnetically resisting movement of said remote end of said lever away from said ski.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein one of said levers includes means for angularly adjustably positioning the abutment portion thereof relative thereto.

8. The combination of claim 6 including a mounting plate adapted for securement to the upper surface of a ski, means securing said mounting member to said plate for adjustable positioning therealong laterally of the axes of rotation of said levers.

9. The combination of claim 6 including second lever means comprising a pair of crossed levers, mounting means adapted to pivotally secure said levers to a ski for rotation about an upstanding axis disposed generally normal to the upper surface of said ski and disposed intermediate the opposite ends of the levers with the corresponding ends of said levers generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said ski, one pair of corresponding ends of said pair of levers defining a pair of recesses opening downwardly and toward each other and communicated with said one pair of ends and adapted to receive an enlarged projection on the end of a shank supported from the toe portion of a ski boot, said mounting means including abutment means engageable with the other ends of said levers for preventing movement of each of said other ends in a direction toward the other of said ends beyond a predetermiend point and magnetic means carried by said other ends magnetically attracting said other ends toward each other.

10. A magnetic ski binding for attaching a ski boot to a ski, said ski binding including lever means comprising a pair of crossed levers, mounting means adapted to pivotally secure said levers to a ski for rotation about an upstanding axis disposed generally normal to the upper surface of said ski and disposed intermediate the opposite ends of said levers with corresponding ends of said levers generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said ski, one pair of corresponding ends of said pair of levers defining a pair of recesses opening downwardly and toward each other and communicated with said one pair of ends and adapted to receive an enlarged projection on the end of a shank supported from the toe portion of a ski boot, said mounting means including abutment means engageable with the other ends of said levers for preventing movement of each of said other ends in a direction toward the other of said ends beyond a predetermined point, said other ends including magnetic means magnetically attracting said other ends toward each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,276,826 3/42 Crowther 28011.35 2,381,793 8/45 Wallace 280-1135 2,610,861 9/52 Campbell 280-1135 2,823,922 2/58 Berlenbach 280-1135 FOREIGN PATENTS 172,281 8/52 Austria.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner, 

1. A MAGNETIC SKI BINDING FOR ATTACHING A SKI BOOT TO A SKI, SAID SKI BINDING INCLUDING LEVER MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF CROSS LEVERS, MOUNTING MEANS ADAPTED TO PIVOTALLY SECURE SAID LEVERS TO A SKI FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN UPSTANDING AXIS DISPOSED GENERALLY NORMAL TO THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SKI AND DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID LEVERS WITH CORRESPONDING ENDS OF SAID LEVERS GENERALLY PARALLELING THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SKI, ONE PAIR OF CORRESPONSING ENDS OF SAID PAIR OF LEVERS DEFINING A PAIR OF RECESSES OPENING DOWNWARDLY AND TOWARD EACH OTHER AND COMMUNICATED WITH SAID ONE PAIR OF ENDS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN ENLARGED PROJECTION ON THE END OF A SHANK SUPPORTED FROM THE TOE PORTION OF A SKI BOOT, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING ABUTMENT MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID LEVERS FOR PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF EACH OF SAID OTHER ENDS IN A DIRECTION TOWARD THE OTHER OF SAID ENDS BEYOND A PREDETERMINED POINT, AND MAGNETIC MEANS CARRIED BY SAID OTHER ENDS MAGNETICALLY ATTRACTING SAID OTHER ENDS TOWARD EACH OTHER. 